National Lament

Many people throughout Australia are disturbed by the punitive and harsh policies and conditions to which people seeking asylum in Australia are being subjected. The recent incident on Manus Island and the death of one person and the injury of many highlights the lack of care and dignity in the policies of both the Government and the Opposition and the absence of awareness of their legal and moral responsibilities.

In response to the desire for prayer and action, Catholic Religious Australia is inviting you to participate in a “National Lament”. We are taking our inspiration from the words of Pope Francis when he visited Lampedusa. The National Lament is a campaign of prayer, penance and action for people seeking asylum in Australia. We are seeking to make a Christian response to these people, rather than treating them as a “problem” to be solved.

The National Lament will have 2 parts:

Part 1 Engaging in prayer, penance and action for people seeking asylum in Australia

• Making Friday in Lent a day of prayer and penance for people seeking asylum • Continuing this practice after Lent through to the Ascension• Writing to one’s local Federal member and to the Minister, Scott Morrison, expressing our lament for people seeking asylum in Australia

Part 2 Engaging in a Week of Prayer and Prophetic Presence during Ascension to Pentecost, 1 to 8 June 2014